http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/2436/give-german-parliament-leaked-571395/
Paulie Sullivan2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/2436/give-german-parliament-leaked-571395/Give it to the German parliament and it will be leaked there in no time!
]]><p>Give it to the German parliament and it will be leaked there in no time!</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/1055/i-odd-request-release-letter-coming-opposition-under-571408/
Niall McLaughlin2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/1055/i-odd-request-release-letter-coming-opposition-under-571408/I find it a bit odd that the request to release the letter is coming from opposition now under the guise of “the public need to know just how much pressure was put on us and they shouldn’t have to wait”, when if it had been released before the last election it may have taken some (but definitely not all) of the heat off FF at the time. I believe the content of the letter should be released, but for the public’s knowledge as opposed to some trivial point scoring exercise in the Dáil.
]]><p>I find it a bit odd that the request to release the letter is coming from opposition now under the guise of “the public need to know just how much pressure was put on us and they shouldn’t have to wait”, when if it had been released before the last election it may have taken some (but definitely not all) of the heat off FF at the time. I believe the content of the letter should be released, but for the public’s knowledge as opposed to some trivial point scoring exercise in the Dáil.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/49598/having-read-matt-coopers-book-ireland-bust-says-571427/
eric nelligan2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/49598/having-read-matt-coopers-book-ireland-bust-says-571427/Having read Matt coopers book about ‘how Ireland really went bust’ it says very clearly that we were bounced in a bailout which we wouldn’t have needed for another few months. The the ECB were being ruled by Germany and Frances demands and we, Ireland basically took the bullet to save the euro at the time.

What also comes out is that French and German pension funds had invested massively in Irish bank bonds but very little on Irish government bonds. This is why they wouldnt allow us default on the bank bonds as the IMF wanted. The US was not our allie either, to them a run on the banks could have effected wall street.

So in a nut shell, in case anyone really didn’t already know. We were left high and dry by the big boys who were only interested in saving there own countries and getting as much back from what they had lent. We on the otherhand were good europeans who took an almighty rogering where the sun don’t shine.

]]><p>Having read Matt coopers book about ‘how Ireland really went bust’ it says very clearly that we were bounced in a bailout which we wouldn’t have needed for another few months. The the ECB were being ruled by Germany and Frances demands and we, Ireland basically took the bullet to save the euro at the time. </p>
<p>What also comes out is that French and German pension funds had invested massively in Irish bank bonds but very little on Irish government bonds. This is why they wouldnt allow us default on the bank bonds as the IMF wanted. The US was not our allie either, to them a run on the banks could have effected wall street. </p>
<p>So in a nut shell, in case anyone really didn’t already know. We were left high and dry by the big boys who were only interested in saving there own countries and getting as much back from what they had lent. We on the otherhand were good europeans who took an almighty rogering where the sun don’t shine.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/38645/cant-understand-why-minister-boss-his-own-department-571421/
Rory Conway2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/38645/cant-understand-why-minister-boss-his-own-department-571421/Can’t understand why the Minister is not the Boss in his own Department . Why ? He ought to be able to order the letter to be released.
]]><p>Can’t understand why the Minister is not the Boss in his own Department . Why ? He ought to be able to order the letter to be released.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/16965/surely-contract-signed-under-coercion-prove-case-null-571466/
Chris Day2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/16965/surely-contract-signed-under-coercion-prove-case-null-571466/Surely any contract signed under coercion, should it prove to be the case, is null and void under Irish Law. Therefore the contract itself cannot be fulfilled in its present format but rather must be either abandoned or, at the express will of both parties to the contract, be renegotiated?
The EU-IMF bailout to Ireland has serious implications vis-a-vis the other bailout contracts with Greece etc. They cannot be allowed to ride roughshod over sovereign states, imposing the will of the super wealthy upon ordinary citizens, whilst willfully ignoring the laws of those states.
]]><p>Surely any contract signed under coercion, should it prove to be the case, is null and void under Irish Law. Therefore the contract itself cannot be fulfilled in its present format but rather must be either abandoned or, at the express will of both parties to the contract, be renegotiated?<br />
The EU-IMF bailout to Ireland has serious implications vis-a-vis the other bailout contracts with Greece etc. They cannot be allowed to ride roughshod over sovereign states, imposing the will of the super wealthy upon ordinary citizens, whilst willfully ignoring the laws of those states.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/37170/its-gota-case-moulder-scully-571411/
Brend Egan2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/37170/its-gota-case-moulder-scully-571411/It’s gota be a case for Moulder and Scully .The truth is out there unfortunately the masses are on a need to know basis which means we dont know anything really.Sshhhhh!!
]]><p>It’s gota be a case for Moulder and Scully .The truth is out there unfortunately the masses are on a need to know basis which means we dont know anything really.Sshhhhh!!</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/33754/its-scary-thought-reporting-media-financial-crisis-possibly-571450/
Steve Maye2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/33754/its-scary-thought-reporting-media-financial-crisis-possibly-571450/It’s a scary thought, but is there any point in reporting in the media on the financial crisis when possibly the most important communications of the past few years are held back from us. Then as is said there was a ‘loaded gun’ pointed at the government to accept a bank bailout. There was obviously a reason and a contingency plan set in place by the ECB because they knew cracks were showing right across the board and they wanted to contain it, in private, possibly to stop mass panic and a run on the banks. If as suggested these letters are held back because of the fear our government can’t implement the ‘current economic strategy’ if the content was known, I think we need to know, in order to make an informed decision as to why we’re in this mess and how to proceed to fix the situation.
]]><p>It’s a scary thought, but is there any point in reporting in the media on the financial crisis when possibly the most important communications of the past few years are held back from us. Then as is said there was a ‘loaded gun’ pointed at the government to accept a bank bailout. There was obviously a reason and a contingency plan set in place by the ECB because they knew cracks were showing right across the board and they wanted to contain it, in private, possibly to stop mass panic and a run on the banks. If as suggested these letters are held back because of the fear our government can’t implement the ‘current economic strategy’ if the content was known, I think we need to know, in order to make an informed decision as to why we’re in this mess and how to proceed to fix the situation.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/46735/i-beyond-party-politics-clarify-important-issues-case-571468/
Dave Hammond2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/46735/i-beyond-party-politics-clarify-important-issues-case-571468/I think we need to see beyond the party politics of this and clarify a few important issues ,

is it the case that the ECB were so afraid of the contagion that they forced our hand

Is it true that we ( the govts) were also forced to pay unsecured bond holders by Europe

If it is the case that there are letters and correspondence then we should move beyond the partisan party politics and publish fully any information which more fully informs us of exactly how the Irish situation was handled in a more unfair way than that of Spain or Italy would be handled , we should not be expected to shoulder a disproportionate burden of pain for years ahead as the euro project is being badly managed and solutions apparently being made up as we go along. It’s called Freedom of Information for a reason , the hint is in the title!

]]><p>I think we need to see beyond the party politics of this and clarify a few important issues , </p>
<p>is it the case that the ECB were so afraid of the contagion that they forced our hand </p>
<p>Is it true that we ( the govts) were also forced to pay unsecured bond holders by Europe </p>
<p>If it is the case that there are letters and correspondence then we should move beyond the partisan party politics and publish fully any information which more fully informs us of exactly how the Irish situation was handled in a more unfair way than that of Spain or Italy would be handled , we should not be expected to shoulder a disproportionate burden of pain for years ahead as the euro project is being badly managed and solutions apparently being made up as we go along. It’s called Freedom of Information for a reason , the hint is in the title!</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/7070/there-serious-interesting-buried-ff-archives-biffobertie-clan-571441/
Joe Sixtwo2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/7070/there-serious-interesting-buried-ff-archives-biffobertie-clan-571441/There is a lot more serious and interesting stuff buried in the FF archives that should see a lot of the biffo-bertie clan in jail. This is a red herring and another spin to give those corrupt b@stards from the last government credibility.
Too late, nothing contained in that letter can justify the mess that we are in and the blame lies firmly in the court of the corrupt individuals that we all know by name.
]]><p>There is a lot more serious and interesting stuff buried in the FF archives that should see a lot of the biffo-bertie clan in jail. This is a red herring and another spin to give those corrupt b@stards from the last government credibility.<br />
Too late, nothing contained in that letter can justify the mess that we are in and the blame lies firmly in the court of the corrupt individuals that we all know by name.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51756/its-secret-document-wont-published-leaked-suitably-grace-571416/
LEDbulbs.ie2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51756/its-secret-document-wont-published-leaked-suitably-grace-571416/It’s a secret document, it wont get published but it might get “leaked” after a suitably long grace period.
Anyway, we had to be bailed out – we continue to spend far more than we take in so the situation was untenable.
I’d like to see the correspondence surrounding the dictat to the late Brian Lenihan surrounding the whole “No European bank shall be allowed to fail” debacle. Was there any coercion from the ECB prior to the blanket guarantee?
Fat chance of that happening anytime soon though…
]]><p>It’s a secret document, it wont get published but it might get “leaked” after a suitably long grace period.<br />
Anyway, we had to be bailed out – we continue to spend far more than we take in so the situation was untenable.<br />
I’d like to see the correspondence surrounding the dictat to the late Brian Lenihan surrounding the whole “No European bank shall be allowed to fail” debacle. Was there any coercion from the ECB prior to the blanket guarantee?<br />
Fat chance of that happening anytime soon though…</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/8188/bogus-argument-stage-571437/
Don Booker2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/8188/bogus-argument-stage-571437/Bogus argument at this stage. When leaders were required we were found lacking and as the old cliche goes, ‘We are where we are.’
]]><p>Bogus argument at this stage. When leaders were required we were found lacking and as the old cliche goes, ‘We are where we are.’</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32339/this-article-opinion-important-issue-date-true-basically-571551/
Chris Gardiner2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32339/this-article-opinion-important-issue-date-true-basically-571551/This article in my opinion is the most important issue to date because if it is found to be true that basically a loaded gun was pointed at the minister to accept the bailout then all bets are off as far as I am concerned and we should reject everything that tyrannical Troika has to offer. I just cannot believe they will not release this letter. Are we that dumb and stupid in government? Is noonan that afraid of the troika? My god I am just baffled at his gutlessness and cowardice.
]]><p>This article in my opinion is the most important issue to date because if it is found to be true that basically a loaded gun was pointed at the minister to accept the bailout then all bets are off as far as I am concerned and we should reject everything that tyrannical Troika has to offer. I just cannot believe they will not release this letter. Are we that dumb and stupid in government? Is noonan that afraid of the troika? My god I am just baffled at his gutlessness and cowardice.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/5932/id-interested-why-minister-noonan-quaffing-free-champagne-571672/
Derek Larney2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/5932/id-interested-why-minister-noonan-quaffing-free-champagne-571672/I’d be more interested to find out why Minister Noonan was quaffing free champagne 2 weeks ago at a party hosted by JP McManus, an individual who pays virtually no tax in Ireland while the rest of us get hammered by it.
]]><p>I’d be more interested to find out why Minister Noonan was quaffing free champagne 2 weeks ago at a party hosted by JP McManus, an individual who pays virtually no tax in Ireland while the rest of us get hammered by it.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/16140/ah-ya-stop-exactly-kind-nonsense-depresses-far-571888/
Dave Hammond2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/16140/ah-ya-stop-exactly-kind-nonsense-depresses-far-571888/Ah will ya stop , it is exactly that kind of nonsense that depresses me , it is not far more interesting or important that a limerick minister was drinking champagne bought by a limerick businessman during the summer , thats a a side show , utter shite , that’s like the party politic bullshit all over again , the debt burden on the iris state for the years ahead seriously effects all people living here , I think that the bailout issues are important to all of us , way beyond some of the trivial goverment bashing that gets us nowhere…
]]><p>Ah will ya stop , it is exactly that kind of nonsense that depresses me , it is not far more interesting or important that a limerick minister was drinking champagne bought by a limerick businessman during the summer , thats a a side show , utter shite , that’s like the party politic bullshit all over again , the debt burden on the iris state for the years ahead seriously effects all people living here , I think that the bailout issues are important to all of us , way beyond some of the trivial goverment bashing that gets us nowhere…</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/1749/-571388/
steve white2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/1749/-571388/no
]]><p>no</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32339/exactly-brend-fairness-happened-571651/
Chris Gardiner2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/32339/exactly-brend-fairness-happened-571651/Exactly Brend and in fairness we all need to know what happened. I knew as did every one else that some very serious s**t went down. I remember at the time watching the dail on tv and the faces of the the Fianna Fail front bench will stay with me forever. They were terrified. I remember in particular Brian Lenihan RIP and every time he was questioned by opposition he would literally squirm in his seat. You could see he KNEW this was a sumami and it was going to hit hard. I have to say I believe this did the man no good health wise and I have no doubt it contributed to his early death because that kind of pressure and stress is a killer.
]]><p>Exactly Brend and in fairness we all need to know what happened. I knew as did every one else that some very serious s**t went down. I remember at the time watching the dail on tv and the faces of the the Fianna Fail front bench will stay with me forever. They were terrified. I remember in particular Brian Lenihan RIP and every time he was questioned by opposition he would literally squirm in his seat. You could see he KNEW this was a sumami and it was going to hit hard. I have to say I believe this did the man no good health wise and I have no doubt it contributed to his early death because that kind of pressure and stress is a killer.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/37281/this-sounds-woe-tale-571460/
Micheal2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/37281/this-sounds-woe-tale-571460/This sounds like a “woe is me” tale.
Say the letters are released? Do we hand back the loans we have received? Do we become a nation of builders once again?
The fact of the matter is that regardless of whether or not these letters are released, we need to move on. There is no demand for building, that is what the entire Celtic Tiger was based on. We need a balanced economy, one that relies on many trades, on many industries, on many sectors.
I’m not sure that releasing the letters is going to majestically bring all of that. Until we have a balanced economy, the queues at Dublin Airport are going to continue, until we are mature enough to hit that realisation, I don’t think we would be able to act responsibly, or act accordingly, if those letters were released. It’s easy to blame pressure from here or there or wherever. We need to look inward at ourselves, and releasing the letters isn’t going to make us do that.
]]><p>This sounds like a “woe is me” tale.<br />
Say the letters are released? Do we hand back the loans we have received? Do we become a nation of builders once again?<br />
The fact of the matter is that regardless of whether or not these letters are released, we need to move on. There is no demand for building, that is what the entire Celtic Tiger was based on. We need a balanced economy, one that relies on many trades, on many industries, on many sectors.<br />
I’m not sure that releasing the letters is going to majestically bring all of that. Until we have a balanced economy, the queues at Dublin Airport are going to continue, until we are mature enough to hit that realisation, I don’t think we would be able to act responsibly, or act accordingly, if those letters were released. It’s easy to blame pressure from here or there or wherever. We need to look inward at ourselves, and releasing the letters isn’t going to make us do that.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51631/paddy-needs-wonder-said-571541/
On the Dole2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51631/paddy-needs-wonder-said-571541/Paddy needs to know ?? Wonder who said that !!!
]]><p>Paddy needs to know ?? Wonder who said that !!!</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51777/im-saying-views-571530/
John Paul2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51777/im-saying-views-571530/I’m not saying it that way they are my views. I don’t believe the masses are stabile enough to know everything. And I do believe the bailout was forced and it should have being just to the banks not tru government. But at the same time it was done for the greater good of euro.
]]><p>I’m not saying it that way they are my views. I don’t believe the masses are stabile enough to know everything. And I do believe the bailout was forced and it should have being just to the banks not tru government. But at the same time it was done for the greater good of euro.</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51777/the-masses-dont-everything-im-done-done-greater-571506/
John Paul2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/51777/the-masses-dont-everything-im-done-done-greater-571506/The masses don’t need to know everything I’m sure what was done was done for the greater good
]]><p>The masses don’t need to know everything I’m sure what was done was done for the greater good</p>
http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/20662/it-seems-given-letter-exists-does-appear-schedule-571533/
SeanNorris2012-08-26http://www.thejournal.ie/profile/20662/it-seems-given-letter-exists-does-appear-schedule-571533/It seems to be a given at this point that this letter exists even if it does not appear on any schedule of correspondence, it would not be the first time that something was left off a list. There also seems to be a general concensus on the content and tone of this letter so I wonder what publication 2 years after the event will other than giving the government of the time a measure of vindication of their actions and about 2 weeks analysis, commentary and rehash of what happened and what should have been done etc. etc.
]]><p>It seems to be a given at this point that this letter exists even if it does not appear on any schedule of correspondence, it would not be the first time that something was left off a list. There also seems to be a general concensus on the content and tone of this letter so I wonder what publication 2 years after the event will other than giving the government of the time a measure of vindication of their actions and about 2 weeks analysis, commentary and rehash of what happened and what should have been done etc. etc.</p>